• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), will investigate the tragic crash of an Air India plane in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the death of 241 people, including the 12 crew members. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12. The AAIB investigates all serious aircraft accidents in Indian airspace and releases its report within a year of the incident.

Senior AAIB officials went to Ahmedabad immediately after the Air India aircraft, carrying 242 people, crashed into a residential area near the airport.

Flight tracking data shows that Air India’s Boeing 787-8 lost its signal at only 625 feet shortly after takeoff. It then descended at 475 feet per minute before crashing. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilots issued a Mayday call to Ahmedabad airport air traffic control (ATC) upon takeoff, and the aircraft subsequently crashed outside the airport perimeter.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the fatal crash of the Air India plane, in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Additionally, the Government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future.

AAIB Begins Initial Evidence Collection

After rescue operations conclude, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will secure the crash site to gather evidence. This particularly includes perishable evidence, which might not be available later. This process could last several days as AAIB investigators collect as much evidence as possible. Their efforts will include retrieving the black boxes, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), along with other crucial components for detailed analysis.

These initial steps involve documenting and mapping any signs of impact with the ground or buildings, recording how debris is scattered, and extensively photographing and videographing the accident site and wreckage. They'll also conduct a basic examination of the wreckage, interview witnesses, and recover recorded data from onboard systems, GPS devices, and any available CCTV footage from the site.

The AAIB will also gather recordings and data from Air Traffic Control (ATC), radar stations, meteorological records, and any other necessary information from the airport, airline and other relevant parties.

Air India Plane Crash: Beginning Of Probe

Following the initial evidence collection phase, which should last three to five days, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to form an investigation team. This team will ideally include domain experts from the AAIB, as well as pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers. The panel is also expected to actively seek assistance from Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer. A senior official familiar with AAIB investigation procedures told The Indian Express that "subject matter experts can be from India as well as abroad."

As per investigation procedures, the AAIB will also notify "involved states" about the accident – these are countries where the aircraft manufacturer and designer are located, and where the aircraft and its operator are registered. In this particular accident, the United States is likely to be a key involved state as Boeing is an American company and the aircraft was manufactured in the US.

Accredited representatives from "involved states" also participate in investigations conducted by the AAIB. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it will lead a team of American investigators travelling to India to assist the AAIB in the investigation. Boeing has stated it is in contact with Air India regarding AI-171 and is ready to support the airline.

The next phase of the investigation process will involve a thorough examination and analysis of evidence and data, which will be subject to detailed scrutiny to understand the circumstances leading to the accident and any contributing safety issues. This phase may also include regular meetings with airline officials to discuss any safety issues that come to light.

The AAIB states on its website, "Documents and records collected from the operator, regulator, personnel involved, or other stakeholders are studied and analyzed by investigators, and if necessary, reviewed in conjunction with SMEs [subject matter experts]. The results of flight recorder data analysis, examination of any components, or other reports from experts are studied and may require deliberation with various stakeholders."

Probe Report Preparation

The preparation of information for testing and analysis, based on the investigation's findings, includes gathering factual information, analysis, conclusions, and subsequent recommendations. This will follow the format prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The AAIB confirmed, "During the information-gathering phase, there is a periodic review of the test and analysis after an investigation. You have ample opportunity to review everything you have and what's coming to you in the investigation."

I've been informed that a limited number of interested states will be invited to submit comments, which will then be reviewed for necessary modifications. Following this, the Director General of AAIB will be informed.

If consultations regarding the review are sought, deliberation on the analysis will be required before further attempts at testing and analysis are made. This may necessitate additional supplementary education, analysis, conclusions, and initial recommendations. The final investigation report will be released after acceptance by the Director General of AAIB, following a thorough review and consultation process that the AAIB anticipates.

The entire investigation process is expected to conclude within one year of the accident. The final report will then be made public "as deemed fit by the Director General, AAIB" and published on the AAIB website. This report will also be shared with the DGCA and the regulatory authorities of other "concerned states" to facilitate the implementation of its recommendations.

This incident marks two significant firsts: it's the first wide-body aircraft crash for an Indian airline in four decades (the last being the Air India Boeing 747 'Kanishka' bombing in June 1985), and it's also the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 globally.